María D. Meléndez Partner New York  212.839.8594 212.839.5599 Fax Vcard

MARÍA D. MELÉNDEZ, a partner in the New York office, joined the firm’s litigation practice in 1993. Her practice focuses primarily on commercial litigation class actions, and securities litigation representing global public companies, financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, and individuals in disputes relating to breach of contract, fraud, negligence, fiduciary duty, products liability, patent infringement, and unfair competition. Her securities litigation experience includes matters representing public companies, investment banks, broker-dealers, directors and officers, and corporate issuers in their defense of actions arising under the federal securities laws. She has also handled arbitrations in various fora involving domestic and foreign parties.

Ms. Meléndez serves as New York Chair of the firm-wide Diversity Committee and is a member of the firm's Hiring Committee. She also served as Co-Chair of the firm’s Summer Committee from 2002-June 2006.

Pro Bono, Professional, Community Activities 

Ms. Meléndez is a member of the Board of Directors of LatinoJustice PRLDEF. LatinoJustice PRLDEF, established in 1972, has won landmark civil rights cases in education, housing, voting, migrant, immigrant, employment and other civil rights.

From 2003 to July 2007, Ms. Meléndez served on the Board of Directors of inMotion, Inc., a public service organization that provides free legal services to low-income women in New York City seeking protection from batterers, custody of their children, child support, and a safe place to live. Today, she continues to serve as Sidley's corporate representative to inMotion.

In October 2004, Ms. Meléndez served as honorary Co-Chair of the Hispanic National Bar Association's annual convention.

Honors

Puerto Rican Bar Association, Distinguished Achievement Award, 2003